Immunity & Inflammation

The science behind our bodies' defense lines

Specific types of liver immune cells are required to deal with injury
Immunity & Inflammation

Specific types of liver immune cells are required to deal with injury

Liver immune cells are not static following an injury, as previously thought, but they adapt to the new microenvironment and participate in tissue repair

Therapeutic potential of a novel mixture of mRNA in nanoparticles overcomes tumor progression  
Immunity & Inflammation

Therapeutic potential of a novel mixture of mRNA in nanoparticles overcomes tumor progression  

Researchers from VIB, VUB, Ghent University, and eTheRNA Immunotherapies developed an immunotherapeutic platform based on lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs)

Scientists discover how specific E. coli bacteria drive colon cancer
Immunity & Inflammation, Cancer Biology

Scientists discover how specific E. coli bacteria drive colon cancer

Certain E. coli bacteria in the gut promote colon cancer by binding to intestinal cells and releasing a DNA-damaging toxin

Repeated COVID vaccines enhance mucosal immunity against the virus
Immunity & Inflammation

Repeated COVID vaccines enhance mucosal immunity against the virus

People who received multiple doses of mRNA vaccines showed more neutralizing antibodies in nasal secretions

Cells that die during inflammation send wound-healing messages 
Immunity & Inflammation

Cells that die during inflammation send wound-healing messages 

A study by the team of Prof. Kodi Ravichandran (VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research) and colleagues found that pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death traditionally thought to be purely inflammatory, also plays a crucial role in promoting healing and tissue repair. This research, published in Nature, opens new avenues for understanding how our bodies respond to injury and could lead to innovative treatments for wounds and inflammatory diseases. 

Past infections have long-term effects on liver immune cells 
Immunity & Inflammation

Past infections have long-term effects on liver immune cells 

Many infections affect the liver, yet little is known about the long-term impact of these infections on the liver’s immune cells. Now, a study by the teams of Prof. Jo Van Ginderachter (VIB-VUB) and Prof Kiavash Movahedi at VUB reveals long-lasting changes in the liver’s Kupffer cells following an infection. The work appears in the Journal of Hepatology. 

Newly discovered protein blocks sleeping sickness 
Immunity & Inflammation

Newly discovered protein blocks sleeping sickness 

New research by the lab of Prof. Jo Van Ginderachter (VIB Center for Inflammation Research and VUB), in collaboration with Prof. Carl De Trez (VUB) and others, identifies a protein that could pave the way toward drugs against sleeping sickness.

Erosion blockade breakthrough: clinical trial signals hope for hand osteoarthritis
Immunity & Inflammation

Erosion blockade breakthrough: clinical trial signals hope for hand osteoarthritis

Researchers at the Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, and VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, show that antibody therapy can be effective against erosive hand osteoarthritis. Using the antibody denosumab leads to bone remodeling and the prevention of erosive joint damage. This is the first evidence that erosive progression can be halted in this disease. The results appear in Nature Medicine.

From goblet cells to gut health: the role of AGR2 and mucus
Immunity & Inflammation

From goblet cells to gut health: the role of AGR2 and mucus

The AGR2 protein plays a pivotal role in regulating intestinal mucus production through its interaction with IRE1β, revealing a crucial mechanism for maintaining a healthy gut environment

Untangling gut and joint inflammation in arthritis 
Immunity & Inflammation

Untangling gut and joint inflammation in arthritis 

New study reveals distinct triggers for gut and joint inflammation using germ-free mouse technology.  

AI assists in arthritis diagnosis based on MRI images 
Immunity & Inflammation, Computational Biology

AI assists in arthritis diagnosis based on MRI images 

A fully automated machine learning algorithm predicts bone marrow inflammation in MRI scans

Immune system causes lung damage in COVID patients
Immunity & Inflammation

Immune system causes lung damage in COVID patients

Inflammatory agent Interleukin-6 fires up complement system

About VIB

VIB is an independent research institute that translates insights in biology into impactful innovations for society. Collaborating with the five Flemish universities, it conducts research in plant biology, cancer, neuroscience, microbiology, inflammatory diseases, artificial intelligence and more. VIB connects science with entrepreneurship and stimulates the growth of the Flemish biotech ecosystem. The institute contributes to solutions for societal challenges such as new methods for diagnostics and treatments, as well as innovations for agriculture. 

Learn more at www.vib.be.

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